How much you paid for your Prius??

We live in Northern Cal and bought '07 Prius, PKG #6 in Seaside Pearl w/ grey leather. We paid $27,011 (roughly $800 over invoice). Add in 7.25% tax.

I would recommend going over to Edmunds.com and get dealer quotes on the package you want. Get the Invoice prices and start negotiating from there (if you are really ballsy... go for a bit below invoice). Then negotiate with each of the dealers with your prices. Don't be afraid to say that you are actively shopping around your area dealers and that you are serious about a firm price. Try to set an "Out the Door" price before you get to the dealer and when you get there, deal with the Internet Sales Dept ONLY. Don't let them suck you into a salesman's cubicle.
If you have to negotiate at the dealership, refuse to discuss trade-ins or financing before you get your price settled.
If asked about financing... tell them that you are qualified somewhere but are open to other options (including their financing....this may encourage them to wheel-and-deal a bit more for your money). Know what you qualify for as far as APR... that way they can't fudge your APR a bit to get you to your price (this a trick the dealerships when you've established yourself as a "monthly payment" negotiator). If the dealer asks you what you want your monthly payments to be, tell them that you what to set a total "out the door price" and you don't want to discuss pricing in that manner. That "four square" paper that they pull out when negotiate with you is designed to confuse you. They can dink with the total price, your financing and your trade-in amount all on one sheet. It's designed to overwhelm you. Before you know it, you are "up to" your limit.
Be firm, be respectful and don't look like you really need the car. Bring along a Gameboy or PSP to play while you are waiting for them to "speak with their manager". They don't like it when the customer is relaxed during negotiations. If it's not working out... get up and walk away. It's your money... don't part with it unless you are happy with the deal. Good luck out there!

 

Well, yesterday ended one of a couple 'buy-back' offers Hudson Toyota (Jersey City, NJ) has given me over the years. Walked out with a Silver '07, Package #5, at ~ $33K when all was said and done (this included the trade-in at approx 4/5 of its retail - an '05 package #3 /w 18,020 miles).

That may sound high, but I had a few things thrown in as part of the loan agreement:

- Lojack /w one of their high-end security systems (this may go in as soon as Monday).
- An extra key (this still needs to be procured).
- Several items that *should* have made it free to the '05 during that buyback offer (such as 'gap' insurance); Finance officer was a bit miffed that was not done for the prior car.
- Also, you have to factor in the ~ $18K left from the previous loan. So the 'actual' cost of the '07 was $16K.

[Side note - I don't mind having lots of 'free' things added to long-term loans, because I tend to pay them ahead a lot. The '05 was about two years ahead at the time, for example, and its features were rapidly becoming truly free. ]

I think I came out better in all respects (for the proximity to NYC), and was reasonably well-prepared as well as quite ready to leave the entire time (much like dylandog mentions). In fact, several of the sales folks there wanted to use me as a 'reference' since I knew much more about the car than many of them; I opted to promise a good word here instead, and they *not* remove the 'pruischat.com' sticker off the back of the '05 during resale.

Oh, and this is the last time I'll be taking advantage of a buy-back - I now have the Prius I've wanted for some time. And besides, this site gave me a list of mods I want to do such that they probably can't legally buy it back anyway.

--TSK

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(T_S_Kimball @ Jan 14 2007, 02:57 AM) [snapback]375437[/snapback]</div>

I'm afraid you totally lost me on the arithmetic!

How much did you pay for the new car plus the extras?
How much did they give you for your trade-in?

If you still owed $18K, didn't you have to pay that back?

 

Last Thursday, January 11, 2007, I paid $26,210 for a non-touring 2007 with package #5 (all but leather) in Northern California. I paid cash. Consumer Reports said the dealer cost for the car was $24,728, so the dealer made ~$1,500. The dealer showed me an invoice, of course, that was much higher than the Consumer Reports price, though I don't remember the exact price on the invoice. The sticker price was $28,074, though that included $200 for floor mats that they took out to give me a lower price.

The $26,210 doesn't include tax and fees, but only a $45 paperwork fee went to the dealership -- the other taxes and fees went to various government agencies. After taxes and fees, it was $28,664.79.

 

I bought a 2007 Standard Prius with package #2 on 1-27 at Toyota Palo Alto for $23,100 (not incl. taxes) with 0% APR for 24 months.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(J Dogg @ Jan 29 2007, 10:00 PM) [snapback]382603[/snapback]</div>

That 0% seems to be available at all Toyota dealerships now, which is great! I was just quoted $3000 off MSRP at Mountain States Toyota from Lance, their internet mgr. That is an end of month discount for any 07 Prius model in stock through tomorrow, so I called him back and put a hold on the one I want. Out the door on a regular non-touring style with PKG #6 is $28,807.56 including our nearly 8% Denver tax. I'm happy! So, by this time tomorrow, I should finally be a real Prius owner! Thanks Priuschat posters, for saving me a bundle!

 

I bought a used 2004 with 60,000 km on it in October 2006 for 28,000 CDN inc. tax. A similarly equipped new 2006 would have cost me about $40,000 inc. tax. I really glad I saved 12 large considering how little wear and tear these cars actually experience. Despite the hard sell, I didn't get an extended warranty even though the comprehensive warranty was expiring as I drove it off the lot. Thank you Toyota for your reliability - it saved me quite a bit (so far anyway).

 

Experience with Denver's Mountain States Toyota: Just had the only happy experience with a dealership in my entire life. Bought my 2007 regular Prius, with PKG #6 today in Silver with a gray leather interior. I love the car and was treated more than fairly. The internet sales dept. was great. I worked with Lance, who was so easy going and low key in his approach that I would not hesitate to recommend him to anyone looking for a no-pressure dealer. I did not experience the usual attempt to add a lot of stuff, even at the finance dept. where I actually chose one add-on myself. There were no surprises after I recieved the internet and phone quotes for what I wanted, and there was only the softest attempt to sell the usual extended warranty and gap coverage type of extras. Because I had a copy of my Edmunds research and the print out of the quoted out-the-door price from Lance, I could stay within my maximum price without hassle. Thanks to this forum, I had a clear idea of what I wanted so it was easy to stick to my intentions.

The best part was the very intensive instruction from Eve, their customer service expert on the navigation and other features. She loves this job and actually enjoys teaching customers how to have fun with all the bells and whistles. This ended up being a snowy cold day when no one else needed her time, so I was able to have all the private tutoring I wanted on each feature, and otherwise could have spent months figuring out some of those things on my own. I am not very savvy with techie stuff, but I feel truly ready to enjoy these gadgets, now. This was not part of the sales approach, but actual customer service they surprised me with after the sale was completed.

Because I have had a really bad experience with a dealership in the past, I was prepared the whole time to be defensive and tough, which never was necessary. I had even considered going to an internet broker for this car, as much to avoid the high pressure run around as to save money. After a few local dealers quoted MSRP only on any Prius, I was especially leery of the lower price this dealer offered, which was $3000. below MSRP. But, they honored that price and the couple of hours spent in Eve's Prius class will probably add to my enjoyment of this car for a long time. To top that off, she gave me her cell phone number to call anytime I needed help figuring out my new toy.

 

I had an extremely bad experience at Woburn Foreign Motors in Massachusetts. They basically gave us a price over the phone then raised it *after* my husband and I arrived at the dealership with our certified check. We ended up buying a Magnetic Gray Prius Package #2 for 21,725 at Acton Toyota (which was worlds better in terms of service).

 

We bought our Grey Metallic Touring, Package 3 with Leather added, window tint, and rear bumper protector for $25,400 here in Atlanta.

After all the taxes, fees, etc. it was $26,022 out the door.

I am happy with the deal and happy with the service received by Team Toyota in Lithia Springs (only place that would pull the car from Charleston, SC).

 

I just got my package #6 blue w/cream interior! Just after one day of driving I am in LOVE! We were able to get it $2750 below MSRP. We decided not to get any extras (like extended warranties or extra alarms and all sorts of stuff.) I think this was the longest part to buying the car. But overall we are really happy with our new Prius. Now I wish there was a class we could take to learn all the bells and whistles.

 

I just bought a new Prius here in Minneapolis from Rudy Luther Toyota. After talking to three internet sales managers and 2 sales reps from different dealers over two weeks, the best price I could get was 23,469 for a package #2 + floor mats which MSRP is 24,169 (700$ below MSRP). I had to wait about 1 week for the car to come from another dealer (Even though there are quite a few Prii to come by, I was very picky about color and options). The dealor also collected a 50$ document fee (which is apparently low compared to others). I also got the 36 months/2.9% financing. With a 400$ graduating student discount and the 1500$ fed tax credit, I think I got a good price.

All three internet sales managers were very unhelpful and unwilling to negotiate. Two of the internet sales managers told me that I would have to wait about 3 months for a Prius if I was picky about options and color. I got a quote from one sales rep over the internet (email leaves a nice paper trail), and then I had the other sales rep (who promised me that he could get the car I want within two weeks and who showed me the car) match the price (he was didn't want to negotiate on price before that). The sales rep at Rudy Luther was a pleasure to work with and didn't pressure me much, and I would recommend him if someone shoots me a P.M. He was very straight forward with me and matched the other dealors quote immediately. So I am pretty happy to get the price I got, even if in California and elsewhere there a better deals to be had. I wasn't even thinking about negotiating before I discovered PriusChat! Thanks guys for giving me the know-how to save 700$!

 

I'm due to pick up mine (07 #5 NL red) today. Sticker price of $28,074; mine for $25,300. I know that's not the best anyone has managed (I've seen $3000 under), but I'm still quite pleased, as it more than makes up for the loss of the tax credit.

 

Last Monday, Jan. 29th, I saw the Toyota commercial that there is no wait to get a Prius and 0% Financing for 2 months. I was waiting for this.

The next day I called my Auto Broker, Bill Long, in Rochester, NY. He called the area dealers, called me at work and I signed a financial application Tuesday afternoon. On Wednesday they approved my application. They found the car I wanted at another dealer and swapped it to my dealer. Bill got the dealer to drop to $200 over invoice for the Prius and bump their trade-in offer for my '99 Avalon, with 94k mile, which was accident repaired, but in very good shape, from $4000 to $4500. Then Bill found another of his clients might want the car. He negotiated a win-win and sold my car for $5700.

Yesterday, I picked up my 2007 Metalic Grey #5 with carpet mats and Rear Bumper Applique for $28174.38 Out the Door.

$25984 Invoice plus $200, $1832.88 7%tax, $45 Dealer Processing Fee, $90 Licence, Title, Registration, $10 NYS Inspection and $12.50 NYS Waste Tire Mgt Fee. $1173.93 payments for 24 months. 0% Financing is available until the end of Feb.

Last Saturday Toyota's website dropped their #5 MSRP $200 and the dealer still had the old price and will send us the new invoice. Hopefully I'll get the $126 invoice refund.

Most important is that I put Zero Effort and Zero Time to get the car and sell my Avalon. Bill did it all for his $375 fee. He more than earned it. This is my 5th car using his services. If you're in the Rochester Area he's in the phonebook. Mention my name.

If you enjoy calling, emailing or driving from dealer to dealer, spending time negotiaing and bickering with wheeler-dealers, getting pissed, then working out the new car terms with the trade-in or posting ads to sell your old car, Go For It.

For the fee, an Auto Broker is Great.


Ken Reasoner
Victor, NY
[email protected]

 

In San Diego, CA, Mossytoyota.com an ad for a 2007 Package 6 for $4000 below MSRP! Of course by the time I showed up, the two they had were both sold. Oh well, I think you have to be standing in the dealership when they announce those "loss leaders".

Anyway, I had at least three dealers with many Prii in stock that would give me $3000 off MSRP for any 2007 in stock.

I bought mine at www.toyotachulavista.com.

2007 Touring package 6 with floor mat "package" for $26692 ($3000 off their sticker of $29,692). After tax, registration, doc fee, etc. it was $29090.

They also had 0% for 24 months, but I can't afford those payments. I went with 3.9 for 48 months.

Toyota of Chula Vista was great to deal with. I think as a dealership less than a year old, they wanted to make sure I was happy to try and build their word of mouth referrals. Smart.

Anyway, I think it was a decent deal, but nothing like $4000 off MSRP...

-Darin

 

I'm picking up a base package #5 this weekend for $25,000 + $99 processing + taxes and tags from a dealer in Northern Virginia. This amounts to over $800 below invoice and $3217 below MSRP. Seems like a great deal. Somebody please tell me if it's not!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jackovalltrades @ Feb 9 2007, 06:37 PM) [snapback]387751[/snapback]</div>

Seems like a good deal to me! Who's the dealer? (Just curious. I have a 2006).

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(PriusRos @ Feb 9 2007, 09:03 PM) [snapback]387815[/snapback]</div>

Since it is a good deal I guess I don't mind giving them an advertisement here. Koons in Tysons Corner VA is the dealer. In fact they seem to have over 60 in stock and that probly has something to do with it.

 

Here in Missouri, prices are still high. I traded in my 2004 with the old pkg 9 with 45,000 miles for $15,500 and bought a 2007 pkg 6 for $27,300. Since the dealer couldn't locate the pkg 5 I wanted, he "gave" me the pkg 6. Dealers still have several on the lot and don't have the demand since some people in the midwest still don't trust hybrid technology. Here, trucks are king!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jackovalltrades @ Feb 9 2007, 09:25 PM) [snapback]387822[/snapback]</div>

What a difference a few months make! When I was looking for a Prius back in June, a colleague of mine who knew people at Koon's had phoned to inquire for me what they had. Nobody even bothered calling me back for a couple of days -- they didn't have what I wanted, which was a Silver or Magnetic Grey package #3.

I ended going to Darcars in Frederick MD. I liked the sales manager because he was knowledgable and enthusiastic, and they gave me a decent price. They had a lot more Prii than the other dealers I had visited, with a few higher-option ones on the lot and one meeting my specifications coming in shortly.